Oil reserves were discovered in 1938. From 1946 to 1982, the country underwent large-scale modernization. In the 1980s, Kuwait experienced a period of geopolitical instability and an economic crisis following the stock market crash. In 1990, Kuwait was invaded by Iraq. The Iraqi occupation came to an end in 1991 after military intervention by coalition forces. At the end of the war, there were extensive efforts to revive the economy and rebuild national infrastructure.

During the Ubaid period (6500 BC), Kuwait was the central site of interaction between the peoples of Mesopotamia and NeolithicEastern Arabia,[15][16][17][18] mainly centered in As-Subiya in northern Kuwait.[19][20][21] The earliest evidence of human habitation in Kuwait dates back 8000 B.C. where Mesolithic tools were found in Burgan.[22] As-Subiya in northern Kuwait is the earliest evidence of urbanization in the whole Persian Gulf basin area.[18]Mesopotamians first settled in the Kuwaiti island of Failaka in 2000 B.C.[23] Traders from the Sumerian city of Ur inhabited Failaka and ran a mercantile business.[23] The island had many Mesopotamian-style buildings typical of those found in Iraq dating from around 2000 B.C.[23] The Neolithic inhabitants of Kuwait were among the world's earliest maritime traders.[24] One of the world's earliest reed-boats was discovered in northern Kuwait dating back to the Ubaid period.[25]

In 1521, Kuwait was under Portuguese control.[36] In the late 16th century, the Portuguese built a defensive settlement in Kuwait.[37]

In 1613, the town of Kuwait was founded in modern-day Kuwait City. In 1716, the Bani Utubs settled in Kuwait, which at this time was inhabited by a few fishermen and primarily functioned as a fishing village.[38] In the eighteenth century, Kuwait prospered and rapidly became the principal commercial center for the transit of goods between India, Muscat, Baghdad and Arabia.[39][40] By the mid 1700s, Kuwait had already established itself as the major trading route from the Persian Gulf to Aleppo.[41]

During the Persian siege of Basra in 1775–79, Iraqi merchants took refuge in Kuwait and were partly instrumental in the expansion of Kuwait's boat-building and trading activities.[42] As a result, Kuwait's maritime commerce boomed.[42] Between the years 1775 and 1779, the Indian trade routes with Baghdad, Aleppo, Smyrna and Constantinople were diverted to Kuwait.[41][43] The East India Company was diverted to Kuwait in 1792.[44] The East India Company secured the sea routes between Kuwait, India and the east coasts of Africa.[44] After the Persians withdrew from Basra in 1779, Kuwait continued to attract trade away from Basra.[45]

Kuwait was the center of boat building in the Persian Gulf region.[46][47] During the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, vessels made in Kuwait carried the bulk of trade between the ports of India, East Africa and the Red Sea.[48][49][50] Kuwaiti ships were renowned throughout the Indian Ocean.[51] Regional geopolitical turbulence helped foster economic prosperity in Kuwait in the second half of the 18th century.[52] Kuwait became prosperous due to Basra's instability in the late 18th century.[53] In the late 18th century, Kuwait partly functioned as a haven for Basra's merchants, who were fleeing Ottoman government persecution.[54] According to Palgrave, Kuwaitis developed a reputation as the best sailors in the Persian Gulf.[51][55][56]

The Sheikhdom of Kuwait became a British protectorate in 1899 (until 1961) after the Anglo-Kuwaiti agreement of 1899 was signed between Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah and the British government in India due to severe threats to Kuwait's independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Following the Kuwait–Najd War of 1919–20, Ibn Saud imposed a trade blockade against Kuwait from the years 1923 until 1937.[57] The goal of the Saudi economic and military attacks on Kuwait was to annex as much of Kuwait's territory as possible. At the Uqair conference in 1922, the boundaries of Kuwait and Najd were set. Kuwait had no representative at the Uqair conference. Ibn Saud persuaded Sir Percy Cox to give him two-thirds of Kuwait's territory. More than half of Kuwait was lost due to Uqair. After the Uqair conference, Kuwait was still subjected to a Saudi economic blockade and intermittent Saudi raiding.

The Great Depression harmed Kuwait's economy, starting in the late 1920s.[57] International trading was one of Kuwait's main sources of income before oil.[57] Kuwaiti merchants were mostly intermediary merchants.[57] As a result of the decline of European demand for goods from India and Africa, Kuwait's economy suffered. The decline in international trade resulted in an increase in gold smuggling by Kuwaiti ships to India.[57] Some Kuwaiti merchant families became rich from this smuggling.[58] Kuwait's pearl industry also collapsed as a result of the worldwide economic depression.[58] At its height, Kuwait's pearl industry had led the world's luxury market, regularly sending out between 750 and 800 ships to meet the European elite's desire for pearls.[58] During the economic depression, luxuries like pearls were in little demand.[58] The Japanese invention of cultured pearls also contributed to the collapse of Kuwait's pearl industry.[58]

From 1946 to 1982, Kuwait experienced a period of prosperity driven by oil and its liberal atmosphere.[59][60][61] In popular discourse, the years between 1946 and 1982 are referred to as the "Golden Era".[59][60][61][62] In 1950, a major public-work programme began to enable Kuwaitis to enjoy a modern standard of living. By 1952, the country became the largest oil exporter in the Persian Gulf region. This massive growth attracted many foreign workers, especially from Palestine, India, and Egypt - with the latter being particularly political within the context of the Arab Cold War.[63] In June 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of the British protectorate and the sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became an Emir. Under the terms of the newly drafted constitution, Kuwait held its first parliamentary elections in 1963. Kuwait was the first of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to establish a constitution and parliament.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Kuwait's press was described as one of the freest in the world.[68] Kuwait was the pioneer in the literary renaissance in the Arab region.[69] In 1958, Al Arabi magazine was first published, the magazine went on to become the most popular magazine in the Arab world.[69] Many Arab writers moved to Kuwait because they enjoyed greater freedom of expression than elsewhere in the Arab world.[70][71] The Iraqi poet Ahmed Matar left Iraq in the 1970s to take refuge in the more liberal environment of Kuwait.[72]

During the Iran-Iraq war, Kuwait supported Iraq. Throughout the 1980s, there were several terror attacks in Kuwait, including the 1983 Kuwait bombings, hijacking of several Kuwait Airways planes and attempted assassination of Emir Jaber in 1985. Kuwait was a regional hub of science and technology in the 1960s and 1970s up until the early 1980s,[78] the scientific research sector significantly suffered due to the terror attacks.[78]

After the Iran-Iraq war ended, Kuwait declined an Iraqi request to forgive its US$65 billion debt.[79] An economic rivalry between the two countries ensued after Kuwait increased its oil production by 40 percent.[80] Tensions between the two countries increased further in July 1990, after Iraq complained to OPEC claiming that Kuwait was stealing its oil from a field near the border by slant drilling of the Rumaila field.[80]

In August 1990, Iraqi forces invaded and annexed Kuwait. After a series of failed diplomatic negotiations, the United States led a coalition to remove the Iraqi forces from Kuwait, in what became known as the Gulf War. On 26 February 1991, the coalition succeeded in driving out the Iraqi forces. As they retreated, Iraqi forces carried out a scorched earth policy by setting oil wells on fire.[82] During the Iraqi occupation, more than 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians were killed.[83] In addition, more than 600 Kuwaitis went missing during Iraq's occupation,[84] approximately 375 remains were found in mass graves in Iraq.

In March 2003, Kuwait became the springboard for the US-led invasion of Iraq. Upon the death of the Emir Jaber, in January 2006, Saad Al-Sabah succeeded him but was removed nine days later by the Kuwaiti parliament due to his ailing health. Sabah Al-Sabah was sworn in as Emir.

Kuwait produces more newspapers and magazines per capita than its neighbors.[112][113] There are limits to Kuwait's press freedom; while criticism of the government and ruling family members is permitted, many people have been jailed for defaming the Emir.[114] Kuwait's constitution criminalizes criticism of the Emir.

The state-owned Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) is the largest media house in the country. The Ministry of Information regulates the media industry in Kuwait.

In 2000, there were 624 radios and 486 television sets for every 1,000 people. In 2001, there were 165,000 Internet subscribers served by three service providers.[115] Kuwait has 12 satellite television channels, of which four are controlled by the Ministry of Information. State-owned Kuwait Television (KTV) offered first colored broadcast in 1974 and operates five television channels.[115] Government-funded Radio Kuwait also offers daily informative programming in several foreign languages including Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and English on the AM and SW.

Kuwait is the most democratic country in the region. Kuwait has a robust public sphere and active civil society with political and social organizations that are parties in all but name.[126][127] Professional groups like the Chamber of Commerce maintain their autonomy from the government.[126][127] The Constitution of Kuwait is the most liberal constitution in the GCC.[128] It guarantees a wide range of civil liberties and rights. In contrast to other states in the region, the political process largely respects constitutional provisions.

The National Assembly is the legislature and has oversight authority. The National Assembly consists of fifty elected members, who are chosen in elections held every four years. Since the parliament can conduct inquiries into government actions and pass motions of no confidence, checks and balances are robust in Kuwait.[129] The parliament can be dissolved under a set of conditions based on constitutional provisions.[130] The Constitutional Court and Emir both have the power to dissolve the parliament, although the Constitutional Court can invalidate the Emir's dissolve.

Executive power is executed by the government. The Emir appoints the prime minister, who in turn chooses the ministers comprising the government. According to the constitution, at least one minister has to be an elected MP from the parliament. The parliament is often rigorous in holding the government accountable, government ministers are frequently interpellated and forced to resign.[130][131] Kuwait has more government accountability and transparency than other GCC countries.[126]

The judiciary is nominally independent of the executive and the legislature, and the Constitutional Court is charged with ruling on the conformity of laws and decrees with the constitution.[130] The judiciary's independence has come under question, although the Constitutional Court is widely regarded as one of the most judicially independent courts in the Arab world.[132] The Constitutional Court has the power to dissolve the parliament and invalidate the Emir's decrees, as happened in 2013 when the dissolved 2009 parliament resumed its role.

The political participation of Kuwaiti women has been limited,[133] although Kuwaiti women are among the most emancipated women in the Middle East. In 2014 and 2015, Kuwait was ranked first among Arab countries in the Global Gender Gap Report.[11][13][14] In 2013, 53% of Kuwaiti women participated in the labor force.[89] Kuwait has higher female citizen participation in the workforce than other GCC countries.[12][89][134] Kuwaiti women outnumber men in the workforce.[12]

The court system in Kuwait is secular.[145][146] Unlike other Gulf states, Kuwait does not have Sharia courts.[146] Sections of the civil court system administer family law.[146] Kuwait has the most secular commercial law in the Gulf.[147] The parliament criminalized alcohol consumption in 1983.[148]

Before the Gulf War, Kuwait was the only "pro-Soviet" state in the Gulf.[149] Kuwait acted as a conduit for the Soviets to the other Gulf states and Kuwait was used to demonstrate the benefits of a pro-Soviet stance.[149] In July 1987, Kuwait refused to allow U.S. military bases in its territory.[150] As a result of the Gulf War, Kuwait's relations with the U.S. have improved and currently hosts thousands of US military personnel and contractors within active U.S. facilities.

The Military of Kuwait traces its original roots to the Kuwaiti cavalrymen and infantrymen that used to protect Kuwait and its wall since the early 1900s. These cavalrymen and infantrymen formed the defense and security forces in metropolitan areas; charged with protecting outposts outside the wall of Kuwait.

Located in the north-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. Kuwait lies between latitudes 28° and 31° N, and longitudes 46° and 49° E. The flat, sandy Arabian Desert covers most of Kuwait. Kuwait is generally low lying, with the highest point being 306 m (1,004 ft) above sea level.[1]

Kuwait has nine islands, all of which, with the exception of Failaka Island, are uninhabited.[151] With an area of 860 km2 (330 sq mi), the Bubiyan is the largest island in Kuwait and is connected to the rest of the country by a 2,380 m (7,808 ft) long bridge.[152] 0.6% of Kuwaiti land area is considered arable[1] with sparse vegetation found along its 499-kilometre (310 mi) long coastline.[1]Kuwait City is located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water harbor.

Kuwait's Burgan field having a total capacity of approximately 70 billion barrels (1.1×1010 m3) of proven oil reserves. During the 1991 Kuwaiti oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7 km2 (13.8 sq mi).[153] The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.[154] The oil spills during the Gulf War also drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.[155]

The spring season in March is warm with occasional thunderstorms. The frequent winds from the northwest are cold in winter and hot in summer. Southeasterly damp winds spring up between July and October. Hot and dry south winds prevail in spring and early summer. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms.[156] Summers in Kuwait are some of the hottest on earth.The highest recorded temperature was 54.4 °C (129.9 °F), which is the highest temperature recorded in Asia.[157][158] Kuwait experiences colder winters than other GCC countries because of its location in a northern position near Iraq and Iran.

At present, there are five protected areas in Kuwait recognized by the IUCN. In response to Kuwait becoming the 169th signatory of the Ramsar Convention, Bubyan island's Mubarak al-Kabeer reserve was designated as the country's first Wetland of International Importance.[159] The 50,948 ha reserve consists of small lagoons and shallow salt marshes and is important as a stop-over for migrating birds on two migration routes.[159] The reserve is home to the world's largest breeding colony of crab-plover.[159]

More than 363 species of birds were recorded in Kuwait, 18 species of which breed in the country.[160] Kuwait is situated at the crossroads of several major bird migration routes and between 2 and 3 million birds pass each year.[161] The marshes in northern Kuwait and Jahra have become increasingly important as a refuge for passage migrants.[161] Kuwaiti islands are important breeding areas for four species of tern and the socotra cormorant.[161]

Kuwait's marine and littoral ecosystems contain the bulk of the country's biodiversity heritage.[161] Twenty eight species of mammal are found in Kuwait; animals such as gazelles, desert rabbits and hedgehogs are common in the wild.[161] Large carnivores, such as the wolf, caracal and jackal, are now extremely rare.[161] Among the endangered mammalian species are the red fox and wild cat.[161] Causes for wildlife extinction are habitat destruction and extensive unregulated hunting.[161] Forty reptile species have been recorded although none are endemic to Kuwait.[161]

Kuwait does not have any permanent rivers. It does have some wadis, the most notable of which is Wadi al Batin which forms the border between Kuwait and Iraq.

Kuwait relies on water desalination as a primary source of fresh water for drinking and domestic purposes.[162][163] There are currently more than six desalination plants.[163] Kuwait was the first country in the world to use desalination to supply water for large scale domestic use. The history of desalination in Kuwait dates back to 1951 when the first distillation plant was commissioned.[162]

In 1965, the Kuwaiti government commissioned the Swedish engineering company of VBB (Sweco) to develop and implement a plan for a modern water-supply system for Kuwait City. The company built five groups of water towers, thirty one in all, designed by its chief architect Sune Lindström, called "the mushroom towers". For a sixth site, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed, wanted a more spectacular design. This last group, known as Kuwait Towers, consists of three towers, two of which also serve as water towers.[164] Water from the desalination facility is pumped up to the tower. The thirty-three towers have a standard capacity of 102,000 cubic meters of water. "The Water Towers" (Kuwait Tower and the Kuwait Water Towers) were awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (1980 Cycle).[165]

Kuwait's fresh water resources are limited to groundwater, desalinated seawater, and treated wastewater effluents.[162] There are three major municipal wastewater treatment plants.[162] Most water demand is currently satisfied through seawater desalination plants.[162][163] Sewage disposal is handled by a national sewage network that covers 98% of facilities in the country.[166]

Kuwait has a petroleum-based economy, petroleum is the main export product. The Kuwaiti dinar is the highest-valued unit of currency in the world.[7] According to the World Bank, Kuwait is the fourth richest country in the world per capita.[167] Kuwait is the second richest GCC country per capita (after Qatar).[167][168][169] Petroleum accounts for half of GDP and 90% of government income.[170] Non-petroleum industries include financial services.[170]

Kuwait is a major source of foreign economic assistance to other states through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, an autonomous state institution created in 1961 on the pattern of international development agencies. In 1974, the fund's lending mandate was expanded to include all developing countries in the world.

Kuwait has proven crude oil reserves of 104 billion barrels, estimated to be 10% of the world's reserves. According to the constitution, all natural resources in the country are state property. Kuwait currently pumps 2.9 million bpd and its full production capacity is a little over 3 million bpd.

Kuwait has a leading position in the financial industry in the GCC; the abyss that separates Kuwait from its Gulf neighbors in terms of tourism, transport, and other measures of diversification is absent in the financial sector.[178] The Emir has promoted the idea that Kuwait should focus its energies, in terms of economic development, on the financial industry.[178]

The historical preeminence of Kuwait (among the Gulf monarchies) in finance dates back to the founding of the National Bank of Kuwait in 1952.[178] The bank was the first local publicly traded corporation in the Gulf.[178] In the late 1970s and early 1980s, an alternative stock market, trading in shares of Gulf companies, emerged in Kuwait, the Souk Al-Manakh.[178] At its peak, its market capitalization was the third highest in the world, behind only the U.S. and Japan, and ahead of the UK and France.[178]

Kuwait has a large wealth-management industry that stands out in the region.[178] Kuwaiti investment companies administer more assets than those of any other GCC country, save the much larger Saudi Arabia.[178] The Kuwait Financial Centre, in a rough calculation, estimated that Kuwaiti firms accounted for over one-third of the total assets under management in the GCC.[178] The relative strength of Kuwait in the financial industry extends to its stock market.[178] For many years, the total valuation of all companies listed on the Kuwaiti exchange far exceeded the value of those on any other GCC bourse, except Saudi Arabia.[178] In 2011, financial and banking companies made up more than half of the market capitalization of the Kuwaiti bourse; among all the Gulf states, the market capitalization of Kuwaiti financial-sector firms was, in total, behind only that of Saudi Arabia.[178]

In recent years, Kuwaiti investment companies have invested large percentages of their assets abroad, and their foreign assets have become substantially larger than their domestic assets.[178]

Tourism accounts for 1.5 percent of the GDP.[179][180] In 2015, the tourism industry generated nearly $500 million in revenue.[181] Most tourists are citizens of GCC countries, especially Saudis and Emiratis. The annual "Hala Febrayer" festival attracts many tourists from neighboring GCC countries,[182] and includes a variety of events including music concerts, parades, and carnivals.[182][183][184][185] The festival is a month-long commemoration of the liberation of Kuwait, and runs from February 1 to February 28.

The Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City is a large-scale tourism project in Khiran.[186][187][188] A new national cultural district is currently under construction.[189][190] The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre is the biggest cultural centre in the Middle East.[191]Yachting is a popular activity, Kuwait is the largest leisure boat market in the Gulf region.[192][193][194]

Kuwait has an extensive and modern network of highways. Roadways extended 5,749 km (3,572 mi), of which 4,887 km (3,037 mi) is paved. There are more than 2 million passenger cars, and 500,000 commercial taxis, buses, and trucks in use. On major highways the maximum speed is 120 km/h (75 mph). Since there is no railway system in the country, most people travel by automobiles.

A highway in Kuwait City.

The country's public transportation network consists almost entirely of bus routes. The state owned Kuwait Public Transportation Company was established in 1962. It runs local bus routes across Kuwait as well as longer distance services to other Gulf states.[195] The main private bus company is CityBus, which operates about 20 routes across the country. Another private bus company, Kuwait Gulf Link Public Transport Services, was started in 2006. It runs local bus routes across Kuwait and longer distance services to neighbouring Arab countries.[196]

There are two airports in Kuwait. Kuwait International Airport serves as the principal hub for international air travel. State-owned Kuwait Airways is the largest airline in the country. A portion of the airport complex is designated as Al Mubarak Air Base, which contains the headquarters of the Kuwait Air Force, as well as the Kuwait Air Force Museum. In 2004, the first private airline of Kuwait, Jazeera Airways, was launched.[197] In 2005, the second private airline, Wataniya Airways was founded.

Kuwait has one of the largest shipping industries in the region. The Kuwait Ports Public Authority manages and operates ports across Kuwait. The country’s principal commercial seaports are Shuwaikh and Shuaiba which handled combined cargo of 753,334 TEU in 2006.[198] Mina Al-Ahmadi, the largest port in the country, handles most of Kuwait's oil exports.[199] Construction of another major port located in Bubiyan island started in 2007. The port is expected to handle 1.3 million TEU when operations start.

Kuwait has a state-funded healthcare system, which provides treatment without charge to Kuwaiti nationals. There are outpatient clinics in every residential area in Kuwait. A public insurance scheme exists to provide reduced cost healthcare to expatriates. Private healthcare providers also run medical facilities in the country, available to members of their insurance schemes. There are 21 public hospitals. Many new hospitals are under construction.[200] The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital is the biggest hospital in the Middle East.[201]

Kuwait has a growing scientific research sector.[202] To date, Kuwait has registered 384 patents, the second highest figure in the Arab world.[203][204][205][206] Kuwait produces the largest number of patents per capita in the Arab world and OIC.[202][207][208][209] The government has implemented various programs to foster innovation resulting in patent rights.[202][210] Between 2010 and 2016, Kuwait registered the highest growth in patents in the Arab world.[202][205][210]

Kuwaiti society is diverse and tolerant.[213] The majority of the population is Sunni Muslim, with a significant minority of Shia Muslims.[214][215] The country includes a native Christian community, estimated to be composed of between 259 and 400 Christian Kuwaiti citizens.[216] Kuwait is the only GCC country besides Bahrain to have a local Christian population who hold citizenship. There is also a small number of Bahá'í Kuwaiti citizens.[217][218] Kuwait also has a large community of expatriate Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs.[217]

Kuwait's official language is Modern Standard Arabic, but its everyday usage is limited to journalism and education. Kuwaiti Arabic is the variant of Arabic used in everyday life.[219]Kuwaiti Sign Language is used by the deaf community. English is taught since first grade at all schools and is widely understood and often used as a business language. Beside English, French is taught as a third language for the students of humanities section at schools, but for two years only. Due to historical immigration, Persian is used among Ayam Kuwaitis.[220][221][222]

Kuwaiti Arabic is a variant of Gulf Arabic, sharing similarities with the dialects of neighboring coastal areas in Eastern Arabia.[223] Due to immigration during its early history as well as trade, Kuwaiti Arabic borrowed a lot of words from Persian, Indian, Turkish, English and even Italian.[224] The Iranian sub-dialects of Larestani, Khonji, Bastaki and Gerashi also influenced the vocabulary of Kuwaiti Arabic.[225]

Kuwaiti soap operas are the most-watched soap operas in the Gulf region.[249][250] Most Gulf soap operas are based in Kuwait.[251][252] Although usually performed in the Kuwaiti dialect, they have been shown with success as far away as Tunisia.[253] Soap operas have become important national pastimes in Kuwait. They are most popular during the time of Ramadan, when families gather to break their fast. Darb El Zalag, Khalti Gmasha, and Ruqayya wa Sabika are among the most important television productions in the Gulf region.[254]

Kuwait is known for its home-grown tradition of theatre.[255] Kuwait is the only country in the Gulf with a theatrical tradition.[256] The theatrical movement in Kuwait constitutes a major part of the country's cultural life.[257] Theatrical activities in Kuwait began in the 1920s when the first spoken dramas were released.[258] Theatre activities are still popular today.[257]Abdulhussain Abdulredha is the most prominent actor. Bye Bye London and Saif al Arab are among the most important theatrical productions in the region.

Kuwait has the oldest modern arts movement in the Arabian Peninsula.[260] Beginning in 1936, Kuwait was the first Gulf country to grant scholarships in the arts.[260] The Kuwaiti artist Mojeb al-Dousari was the earliest recognized visual artist in the Gulf region.[261] He is regarded as the founder of portrait art in the region.[262] In 1943, al-Dousari launched Kuwait's first art gallery.

Within the GCC, Kuwait is a forerunner when it comes to the music industry.[264] Kuwaiti music has considerably influenced music culture in other GCC countries.[264] Over the last decade of satellite television stations, many Kuwaitis have become household names in other Arab countries. Abdallah Al Rowaished, Nawal El Kuwaitia, Abdul Kareem Abdul-Qader, and Nabeel Shoail are the most popular contemporary artists.

In 2002, the Higher Institute of Musical Arts was founded by the government to provide higher education in music. The institute has several divisions. Many prominent musicians have graduated from the institute. Kuwait has several music festivals, including the International Music Festival hosted by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL).[270][271] Kuwait's annual Gulf Music Festival features internationally renowned jazz musicians and local musicians.[272][273]

The Kuwait national handball team is controlled by the Kuwait Handball Association. The sport is widely considered to be the national icon of Kuwait, although football is more popular among the overall population. Kuwait is also the founding member of the Asian Handball Federation, the Asian Championship and Club Champions League.

^Bennett D. Hill; Roger B. Beck; Clare Haru Crowston (2008). A History of World Societies, Combined Volume(PDF). p. 165. Centered in the fertile Tigris- Euphrates Valley, but with access to the Persian Gulf and extending south to Meshan (modern Kuwait), the Sassanid Empire's economic prosperity rested on agriculture; its location also proved well suited for commerce.

^Avner Falk (1996). A Psychoanalytic History of the Jews. p. 330. In 224 he defeated the Parthian army of Ardavan Shah (Artabanus V), taking Isfahan, Kerman, Elam (Elymais) and Meshan (Mesene, Spasinu Charax, or Characene).

^Abraham Cohen (1980). Ancient Jewish Proverbs. The large and small measures roll down and reach Sheol; from Sheol they proceed to Tadmor (Palmyra), from Tadmor to Meshan (Mesene), and from Meshan to Harpanya (Hipparenum).

^ abSajjad, Valiya S. "Kuwait Literary Scene A Little Complex". Arab Times. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. A magazine, Al Arabi, was published in 1958 in Kuwait. It was the most popular magazine in the Arab world. It came out it in all the Arabic countries, and about a quarter million copies were published every month.

^Ali Alawi. "Ali's roadtrip from Bahrain to Kuwait (PHOTOS)". The trip to Kuwait – a country that has built a deep connection with people in the Persian Gulf thanks to its significant drama productions in theater, television, and even music – started with 25 kilometers of spectacular sea view

^Mansfield, Peter (1990). Kuwait: vanguard of the Gulf. Hutchinson. p. 113. Some Kuwaiti soap operas have become extremely popular and, although they are usually performed in the Kuwaiti dialect, they have been shown with success as far away as Tunisia.